Preparation and physical properties of superhydrophobic papers

In this study, we developed a facile method for preparing a superhydrophobic paper surface using a multi-layer deposition of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC) and silica particles, followed by a fluorination surface treatment with 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS, CF(3)(CF(2))(5)CH(2)CH(2)Si(OC(2)H(5))(3)). The superhydrophobic wood fiber products prepared in this study have contact angles of water greater than 150 degrees and sliding angles less than 5 degrees. Besides their high water repelling property, the superhydrophobic paper products kept a high tensile strength at high relative humidity condition. The superhydrophobic paper products also showed high resistance to bacterial contamination.